Feeder for tape weaving machine

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is disclosed for feeding flat weft tape from a supply package to a loom in which the weft tape supply package is rotatably mounted outside the warp shed. The apparatus comprises a rotatable chuck adapted to support the weft tape package; means to intermittently rotate the rotatable chuck; a weft tape storage device; an aspirator adapted to draw the weft tape tangentially from the rotating supply package and feed it into the weft tape storage device; weft tape insertion means on the loom adapted to draw the tape from the storage device and insert it into the warp shed of the loom; control means for the means to intermittently rotate the rotatable chuck adapted to synchronize the starting and the stopping of the chuck with the starting and the stopping of the loom; a course control means adapted to adjust the rotation of the chuck such that the surface of the supply package moves at approximately the speed required to unwind the same length of weft tape as is inserted into the warp shed of the loom by the weft insertion means, and a fine control within the weft storage device and actuated by the length of tape in the storage device adapted to more accurately adjust the rotation of the chuck. The apparatus is useful in the weaving of fabric from flat tapes, e.g., flat polyolefin tapes.

ite States Wolstencroft 1 Nov. 11, 1975 1 FEEDER FOR TAPE WEAVINGMACHINE [75] Inventor: Michael John Wolstencroft,

Kingston, Canada [22] Filed: June 18, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 481,373

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 21. 1973 United Kingdom29604/73 [52] US. Cl. 139/122 H [51] Int. C1. D03D 47/34 [58] Field ofSearch 139/122 R, 122 1-1, 122 W, 139/127 P, 127 R, 116; 66/125 R, 132R, 132 T, 86 L; 226/97 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,240,461 7/1971United Kingdom 139/122 H 1,510,153 12/1967 France 139/122 1-1 PrimaryE.\'aminer--James Kee Chi [5 7] ABSTRACT An apparatus is disclosed forfeeding flat weft tape from a supply package to a loom in which the wefttape supply package is rotatably mounted outside the warp shed. Theapparatus comprises a rotatable chuck adapted to support the weft tapepackage; means to intermittently rotate the rotatable chuck; a weft tapestorage device; an aspirator adapted to draw the weft tape tangentiallyfrom the rotating supply package and feed it into the weft tape storagedevice; weft tape insertion means on the loom adapted to draw the tapefrom the storage device and insert it into the warp shed of the loom;control means for the means to intermittently rotate the rotatable chuckadapted to synchronize the starting and the stopping of' the chuck withthe starting and the stopping of the loom; a course control meansadapted to adjust the rotation of the chuck such that the surface of thesupply package moves at approximately the speed required to unwind thesame length of weft tape as is inserted into the warp shed of the loomby the weft insertion means, and a fine control within the weft storagedevice and actuated by the length of tape in the storage device adaptedto more accurately adjust the rotation of the chuck. The apparatus isuseful in the weaving of fabric from flat tapes, e.g., flat'polyolefintapes.

3 Claims, 31Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 11; 1975 FEEDER FOR TAPEWEAVING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates tothe weaving of fabrics from flat tapes and more particularly to theweaving of fabrics from flat tapes on a loom in which the weft packageis located outside the warp shed.

It is common practice in the art of weaving flat tapes on the abovetypeof loom to have the weft supply package remain stationary at oneside of the loom and to have the weft tape drawn from this package overthe end of the package and inserted into the shed formed by the warptapes by one or more jets, grippers, rapiers or suction devices. Aftereach weft tape insertion, the tape is released from the gripper orrapier and severed from the supply package by a cutting or burningdevice. After each weft tape has been severed, the new end of the tapeis gripped by the weft insertion system and inserted into the shed. 'Thefeeding of the weft tape, therefore, is intermittent and varioustemporary weft storage devices have been provided between the weftsupply package and the shed in order to keep the tension in the wefttape reasonably constant.

As the flat weft tape is drawn over the end of the supply package (woundwith zero twist weft tape), two folds are made in the tape for every 360turn of tape removed from the package. For a new package of say inchesin diameter, this leads to an average distance between folds in the wefttapes of 31.4 inches. As the package decreases in size and reaches thecore diameter, say 3% inches, the average distance between the folds inthe weft tapes decreases to 5.7 inches. These folds in the weft tapeshave undesirable effects on the woven fabric. For example, each foldrepresents a potential weak spot in the fabric; if the woven fabric issubsequently extrusion coated, the folds can cause unevenness in thecoating which makes it necessary to apply a thicker coating than wouldotherwise be required; if uncoated woven fabric is printed, specialprinting techniques are required to avoid printing defects which can becaused by the folds; if the woven fabric is used for carpet backing, thefolds can cause needle deflection resulting in uneven tufting; and wovenfabric having folds in its weft tapes is not aesthetically appealing.

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus forfeeding flat weft tapes from a weft supply package to a loom which willgreatly reduce the number of folds in the weft tapes fed to the loom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In an apparatus for feeding flat weft tape froma supply package to a loom that includes a weft tape insertion means onthe loom adapted to draw the tape from the package and insert it intothe warp shed of the loom, the improvement comprising:

a rotatable driven chuck for supporting the weft tape supply package;

a weft tape storage device located between the supply package and theweft tape insertion means; and

an aspirator for drawing the weft tape tangentially from the package andfeeding the weft tape intothe weft tape storage device. i U In oneembodiment of the present invention, there is provided a means tointermittently rotate the rotatable chuck which comprises a variablespeed motor, a flywheel, a clutch and a brake and, a control means, allcoupled to the motor; the means to intermittently rotate the rotatablechuck is actuated by the m. The weft tape storage device comprises anopen-ended tube adapted to contain a loop of weft tape which is fed inand drawn out of one end of the tube. There is also provided a coarsecontrol means which comprises a motor speed con troller in combinationwith a photocell arrangement that senses the diameter of the weftpackage and controls motor speed accordingly, and a fine control meanswhich comprises a photocell loop detector positioned in the weft tapestorage tube that also is combined with the motor speed controller toadjust the rotation of the chuck according to the amount of tape in thetube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a plan view of oneembodiment of the present invention for feeding flat weft tape from asupply package to a loom;

FIG. 2 shows in elevation the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of an alternative weft tapestorage device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a rotatable chuck 10 supports aweft tape supply package 11. Means to intermittently rotate the chuck 10are designated by the numeral 12. An air powered aspirator 13 receivesthe weft tape 14 from the intermittently rotating supply package 11 andfeeds it to a weft tape storage tube 15. Weft tape insertion means (notshown) intermittently draw the weft tape from the storage tube 15through loom guide 16 and insert it into the warp shed of the loom. Theweft tape 14enters and exits the same end of storage tube 15, thus aloop of weft tape is present in storage tube 15. The means tointermittently rotate the chuck l0 designated by the numeral 12 consistsof a variable speed motor 17, a flywheel 18, a clutch 19 and a brake 20.A light source 21 and an array of photocells 22 cooperate to measure thediameter of supply package 11. A photocell loop detector 23 detects thepresence or absence vof a loop of weft tape in storage tube 15. Aclutchbrake control (not shown) for which a signal may be taken from theloom disengages the clutch 19 and applies the brake 20 each time theloom stops and engages the clutch l9 and releases the brake 20 each timethe loom starts, i.e., the loom the clutch l9 and the brake 20 areoperatively connected as indicated by the dashed line from the loom tothese elements. A signal from the array of photocells 22 fed to motorcontroller 17a provides coarse speed control for the motor 17, i.e., thesignal adjusts the speed of the motor 17, through controller 17a, suchthat the surface speed of the supply package 11 is approximately thatrequired to unwind the same length of tape as is inserted into the warpshed by the weft tape insertion means. A signal from the photocell loopdetector 23 also fed through controller 17a provides fine speed controlfor the motor 17, i.e., the signal adjusts the speed of the motor 17,through controller 17a, such that the end of the loop of weft tape inthe storage tube 15 is at, or near, the photocell loop detector 23.

The variable speed motor 17 is directly coupled to the flywheel 18 toincrease the moment of inertia of the rotor of motor 17 and thereby toreduce sudden speed fluctuations during periods of maximum acceleration.Drive from the motor 17 to the chuck 10 is transmitted through theclutch 19. Each time the loom is stopped for any reason, the clutch 19is disengaged and brake 20 is applied by the clutch-brake control; thusallowing the motor 17 to continue to rotate while the chuck I is rapidlydecelerated to rest and held firmly by the brake 20 until the loom isagain started.

The string up and start up of the apparatus for feeding flat weft tapefrom the supply package to the loom proceeds as follows:

1. a full weft tape supply package 11 is placed on the chuck and lockedin position;

2. the clutch-brake control is put on manual control;

3. the end of the weft tape from the supply package 11 is passed throughthe aspirator l3 and a loop of tape is formed in the storage tube 15;

4. the end of the weft tape from the storage tube 15 is passed throughthe loom guide 16 to the weft tape insertion means;

5. the clutch-brake control is put on automatic control;

6. a signal from the array of photocells 22 of the coarse speed controladjusts the speed of motor 17 (based on the diameter of supply package11) to give approximately the surface speed required for supply package11;

7. the loom is started up in the usual manner; and

8. a signal from the photocell loop detector 23 provides fine speedcontrol by adjusting the speed of g the motor 17 such that the end ofthe loop of weft tape in the storage tube 15 is at or near the photocellloop detector 23.

A cam operated control driven by a timing mechanism may be used in placeof the light source 21 and the array of photocells 22 to provide coarsespeed control for motor 17.

FIG. 3 shows a portion of another embodiment of the invention in which adifferent weft tape storage device is employed. In FIG. 3, analternative weft tape storage device (to the weft tape storage tube 15of FIG. 1) is designated generally by the numeral 30. Weft tape storagedevice 30, which is in the form of an open E-shaped trough, is supportedby a support stand 31. The E- shaped trough is formed by outer walls 32and 33, by a partition wall 34, and by a bottom 35. Skirt guards 36 and37 extend out horizontally from the upper surfaces of outer walls 32 and33, respectively. An aspirator 38 receives the weft tape from the supplypackage and feeds it into the weft tape storage device 30. An on-offswitch on the air supply to the aspirator 38 is tied in with theclutch-brake controls such that air is supplied to the aspirator eachtime the clutch is engaged and air is shut off to the aspirator eachtime the brake is put on. A light source 39, a lens 40 and a photocell41 cooperate to form a loop detector in tape storage device 30. Adeflector plate 42, which forms an extension of bottom 35 and loop guide43 are also provided.

Air to the aspirator 38 is supplied only when weft tape is beingsupplied to the storage device 30 from the supply package and when tapeis being withdrawn from the storage device 30 by the weft tape insertionmeans. This feature prevents fibrillation of the weft tape each time theweft tape is stopped in the tape storage device 30. If static build-upon the weft tape in the tape storage device 30 occurs, it isadvantageous to provide a fluidizing means part way down the troughformed by outer wall 32 and partition wall 34. The on-off control on theair suppply to the aspirator 38 may also be used to control the airsupply to this fluidizing means. Skirt guards 36 and 37 prevent the loopin the end of the weft tape from snagging on the light source 39 and thephotocell 41 of the loop detector. The deflector plate 42 and the loopguide 43 cooperate to prevent snagging of the weft tape at the pointwhere it leaves the weft tape storage device 30. The loop detectorprovides fine control for the motor in the same manner as describedabove for the motor in the same manner as described above for the loopdetector 23 in FIG. I, i.e., a signal from the loop detector graduallyslows down the motor when there is weft tape in front of the lens 40 andgradually speeds up the motor when there is no weft tape in front of thelens 40. Each time the loop in the weft tape becomes shorter than thepartition wall 34, the loop rides up on the top of the partition wall 34away from the lens 40. The signal from the loop detector thus adjuststhe speed of the motor such that the loop in the weft tape is alwaysapproximately the same length as the partition wall 34.

With the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 for feeding flat weft tape from asupply package to a loom, there may be tendency for folds to develop inthe flat weft tape at the point where the tape leaves the end of thetape storage tube 15 on the way to the weft tape insertion means. Theintermittent use of weft tape by the loom causes a loose loop of tape tofly away from the end of storage tube 15 under its own inertia aftereach weft tape insertion by the loom. On subsequent weft tapeinsertions, when the loose loop is temporarily straightened out, a foldcan develop in the weft tape. With the weft tape storage device 30 ofFIG. 3, there may be much less tendency for folds to develop. The wefttape is'withdrawn by the weft tape insertion means from the side of thetape storage device 30 and the weft tape. which flies out of the storagedevice 30 under its own inertia after each weft tape insertion, issupported as a control loop on bottom 35 and deflector plate 42. On thenext weft tape insertion, the controlled loop is tern porarilystraightened without a fold developing in the tape.

The following Example illustrates the invention without limiting itsscope:

EXAMPLE The apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings for feedingflat weft tape from a supply package to a loom was installed on a loomknown as a l30-inch SULZER* weaving machine available from SulzerBrothers Limited, Winterthur, Switzerland. *Denotes trade mark A fabrichaving an 8 X 8 construction was woven at a speed of 223 picks perminute 11%. The warp and weft tapes were 0.002 in. thick by 0.100 in.wide high density polyethylene.

The operation of the apparatus was as hereinbefore described andillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Some folds developed in the weft tape 14at the exit end of the weft tape storage tube 15. The intermittent useof the weft tape by the loom caused a loose loop of tape to fly awayfrom the end of storage tube 15 under its own inertia after each weftinsertion by the loom. On subsequent weft tape insertions, some foldswere developed in the weft tapev The weft tape storage device of FIG. 3was prepared later to overcome this problem.

A total of 10.5 square yards of fabric was woven. The average distancebetween turns in the weft tapes was 180 inches. When fabric was wovenfrom the same weft tape supply package with tape take-off over the endof the package according to the prior art, the average dis' tancebetween turns in the weft tapes was 10.25 inches.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for feeding flat weft tape from a supply package to aloom that includes a weft tape insertion means on the loom adapted todraw the tape from the package and insert it into the warp shed of theloom, a rotatable chuck for supporting the weft tape supply package; avariable speed motor having a shaft coupled to said chuck for rotationthereof; a weft tape storage device located between the supply packageand the weft tape insertion means; an aspirator for drawing the wefttape tangentially from the package and feeding the weft tape into theweft tape storage device the improvement comprising: means for sensingthe diameter of the weft tape supply package and providing a signalaccording thereto; control means coupled to said variable speed motorand actuated by said signal for increasing or decreasing the speed ofthe motor according tothe magnitude of said signal; a clutch meansconnected between said rotatable chuck and said motor and coupled tosaid loom for connecting said chuck with said motor only duringoperation of the loom; and a flywheel on said motor shaft between saidmotor and said clutch for increasing the moment of inertia of the motorand reducing speed fluctuations.

2. The apparatus of claim I, said weft tape storage device being a tubeopen at both ends. said weft tape being fed into and withdrawn from thesame end of the tube.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the weft tape storage devicecomprises an elongated E-shaped trough, said trough being formed by twoouter walls a partition wall and a bottom and being adapted to contain aloop of weft tape, the loop being fed by the aspirator into one end ofthe trough, passing along one side of the trough, looping around one endof the partition wall, and being drawn by the weft insertion means fromthe trough part way along the other side thereof, the end of thepartition wall being shaped such that it lifts the loop out of thetrough each time the loop becomes shorter than the partition wall.

l l 4 l= UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 0 PATENTNO. 3,918,501

DATED November 11, 1975 INVENTORQS) Michael John Wolstencroft It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent 9 are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 'r, lines 12-13 (second instance), delete "for the motor in thesame manner as described above"; Q H 11! line 58, insert a percent sign(75) after 1:1

Signed and Scaled this O twenty-seventh D3) of April 1976 [SEAL] Arrest:

Q RUTH c. MASON c. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer (mnmissimwr nfiarenlsand Trademarks

1. In an Apparatus for feeding flat weft tape from a supply package to aloom that includes a weft tape insertion means on the loom adapted todraw the tape from the package and insert it into the warp shed of theloom, a rotatable chuck for supporting the weft tape supply package; avariable speed motor having a shaft coupled to said chuck for rotationthereof; a weft tape storage device located between the supply packageand the weft tape insertion means; an aspirator for drawing the wefttape tangentially from the package and feeding the weft tape into theweft tape storage device the improvement comprising: means for sensingthe diameter of the weft tape supply package and providing a signalaccording thereto; control means coupled to said variable speed motorand actuated by said signal for increasing or decreasing the speed ofthe motor according to the magnitude of said signal; a clutch meansconnected between said rotatable chuck and said motor and coupled tosaid loom for connecting said chuck with said motor only duringoperation of the loom; and a flywheel on said motor shaft between saidmotor and said clutch for increasing the moment of inertia of the motorand reducing speed fluctuations.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, said wefttape storage device being a tube open at both ends, said weft tape beingfed into and withdrawn from the same end of the tube.
 3. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the weft tape storage device comprises an elongatedE-shaped trough, said trough being formed by two outer walls a partitionwall and a bottom and being adapted to contain a loop of weft tape, theloop being fed by the aspirator into one end of the trough, passingalong one side of the trough, looping around one end of the partitionwall, and being drawn by the weft insertion means from the trough partway along the other side thereof, the end of the partition wall beingshaped such that it lifts the loop out of the trough each time the loopbecomes shorter than the partition wall.